Adapter for conveying indexed sheets in a stack



J. H. LOACH Jan. 17, 1967 ADAPTER FOR CONVEYING INDEXED SHEETS IN A STACK Filed June 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

JOHN H. LOACH BY W 4 ATTORNEYS.

J. H. LOACH Jan. 17, 1967 ADAPTER FOR CONVEYING INDEXED SHEETS IN A STACK Filed June 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet :5

I I I I INVENTOR- JOHN H L 0A CH W ggzwdi ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent ()fiiice 3,298,501 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 3,298,501 ADAPTER FOR C(INVEYING INDEXED SHEETS IN A STACK John H. Loach, 2152 McKinley St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19149 Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,553 17 Claims. c1. 19s 2z1 This invention relates generally to conveying indexed sheets in a stack, and in particular, to an adapter plate for an automatic collating, punching and binding machine enabling operation on stacked sheets having protruding index tabs.

In the binding of books, manuals, pamphlets, or the like, it is necessary to collate and assemble the various pages or sheets in a stack to present an even back edge for binding. Complex machines are available to collate, assemble and convey sheets in even stacks which are fed vinto a punching and binding machine, all by automatic operation. Such automatic machinery is commercially available, for example, the CP&CF Model Collators manufactured by the General Binding Corporation, of Northbrook, Illinois. It is sometimes desirable to provide various booklets and manuals with index tabs extending from some of the sheets for a ready and convenient reference to certain sections of the manual or booklet. The aforementioned automatic machinery, although satisfactory in many respects, does not provide for an automatic handling of indexed stacks. Heretofore, there has not been a way to automatically align the front, tabbed edges of the stacks. Therefore, the indexed stacks have been manually assembled, aligned and fed to the punching and binding machine. It is, of course, desirable to provide an adapter which is readily removable, for use in such automatic machinery during an operation on indexed stacks.

Therefore, to overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of the prior art, the general object of this invention is to provide an adapter for conveying indexed sheets in a stack.

It is an object of this invention to provide for the automatic collation, assembly, feeding, punching and binding of evenly stacked sheets having index tabs protruding therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adapter which will readily cooperate with existing complex machinery.

A further object is to provide an adapter which may be very quickly and conveniently connected and disconnected from a collating, punching and binding machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adapter plate which has means to maintain alignment and prevent jamming of the plate.

A further object is to provide an adapter which is of simple construction, economical to produce and which utilizes conventional, currently available components that lend themselves to standard mass production manufacturing techniques.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the invented adapter as employed on automatic machinery.

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view showing details of the adapter plate.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2 taken along line 33.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view showing an alternate embodiment of the adapter plate.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 4 taken along the line 55.

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view showing a stack of sheets bound to form a manual or the like.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG- URE l a drawing of automatic, collating, punching and binding machinery including an assembler-conveyor 10. A collator 12 and a punching and binding machine 14 are conventional machinery components, well-known in the art, as identified above, and form no part of the present invention. Therefore, the description hereinafter of components 12 and 14 shall be limited to their functions. Individual sheets are fed from the collator 12 to the assembler-conveyor 161, where they are assembled together in an even stack 20 which is then fed into the punching and binding machine 14-. The assembler-conveyor It) provides a flat horizontal support surface 30 for assembly of the sheets into an even stack 20. Support surface 30 includes a longitudinal slot 31 along the center. Edge guides 32, 34 are longitudinal members affixed on surface 30 in parallel relationship to slot 31. The edge guides 32, 34 include flat bottom flanges 35, 36 as illustrated. The knobs 37 receive threaded studs (not shown) which extend from the surface 30 through the respective flanges 35, 36 to afiix the edge guides 32, 3 4 on the surface 30. If desired, the flanges 35, 36 may be slotted under the knobs 37, thereby enabling the edge guides 32, 34 to be adjusted in a wellknown manner. It is preferable that the edge guides 32, 34 be equally spaced from the slot 31, in order to preclude binding of a stack 20 therebetween. D uring a typical operation, sheets are assembled in an aligned relationship between the edge guides 32, 34 to form a stack 29. A conveyor rod 38 (not shown in FIGURE 1) travels along slot 31 for the purpose of aligning and conveying a stack 20 therealong. Normally, in a stack 20 having an even front edge 22 and an even back edge 24, the rod 38 will abut against the front edge 22, thereby aligning it as the stack 20 is fed into the punching and binding machine 14. It is, of course, necessary that the back edge 24 be aligned evenly in order to produce an attractive manual 60 having a back binder 65, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. However, if stack 20 includes index tabs 26 projecting at the front edge 22, the abutment of rod 38 cannot align the front and back edges 22, 24 evenly. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a quick and ready adapter for such indexed stacks.

Notice that the index tabs 26 are all spaced a distance from ends 27, 29 of front edge 22, thereby providing even portions of front edge 22 approximate the ends 27, 29, as illustrated best in FIGURE 1. A rectangular adapter plate 40 is provided for alignment of index stack 20 with an even back edge 24, which may be fed for punching and binding into the automatic punching and binding machine 14. The adapter plate 40 has a front edge 45 and a back edge 46 of a length corresponding to the length of the stack 20 front and back edges 22, 24, respectively. A slight clearance provided between the plate 40 and the edge guides 32, 34 allows the plate to travel along surface 30 in the direction of the slot 31. An opening 42 is provided through the plate to engage the conveyor 38, as may best be visualized by reference to FIGURES 2 through 5. A rectangular shape may be provided for opening 42 for reasons to become apparent hereinafter. The opening 42 is located near the front edge 45 and centered on a centerline bisecting the front and back edges 45, 46, as illustrated in the isometric figures.

A pair of pegs 43, 44 extend normal to the top surface of plate 40 a distance at least equal to the thickness of the stack 26. As illustrated best in FIGURE 1, the pegs 43, 44 are spaced apart an adequate distance to receive all the tabs 26 therebetween and engage the stack 20 at even portions of edge 22 approximate to the ends 27, 29. The pegs 43, 44 are firmly afiixed on plate as by means of welding, or other conventional and satisfactory means, at positions between a longitudinal centerline of the plate 40 and opening 42, each peg being spaced an equal distance from the transverse and longitudinal centerlines of plate 40. It is to be noted that the pegs 43, 44 are tangent to a plane spaced perpendicularly from the opening 42 by a distance at least equal to the protrusion of tabs 26 from the front edge 22 of the stack 20. The plate 40 has a transverse width which is relatively narrow in comparison to a stack 20 so that the back edge 24 of the stack protrudes beyond the plate 40 for interference-free punching and binding in the machine 14.

Naturally, during travel of the plate 40, it must be properly oriented, otherwise twisting and binding of the plate 4% between the edge guides 32, 34 may result to jam operation thereof. Thus, the opening 42 is provided with a rectangular shape as illustratrated in FIGURE 2. An adapter sleeve 50 has a correspondingly rectangular outer periphery to fit within the rectangular opening 42. An interior bore 53 within the sleeve 50 closely fits on the conveyor rod 38. The rectangular adapter sleeve 50 extends upward through the slot 31. Thus, the sides of the slot provide orientation for the adapter sleeve 50, which in turn provides orientation for the adapter plate 40.

The embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 utilizes an alternate orientation means for the adapter plate 40. There the opening 42' is circular to receive the conveyor rod 38 alone. A depending alignment tab 55 is provided at the intersection of the transverse and longitudinal centerlines of the plate 40. The depending tab 55 fits within the slot 31 for orientation of the plate 40.

The adapter plate 40 may be quickly connected and disconnected, depending whether or not the stacks have index tabs or not. A stack having index tabs will be fed, sheet by sheet, from collator 12 upon surface 30 and adapter plate 40. A stack 20 will be assembled between the edge guides 32, 34. Edges of the stack abutting against the edge guides 32, 34 will be even. Conveyor rod 38 traveling in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 1, will move the adapter plate 40' therealong in the direction of the punching and binding machine 14-. Pegs 43, 44 will abut up against edge 22 of the stack 26 proximate the ends 27, 29 of the front edge 22 and align the front and back edges 22, 24. Conveyor rod 38, adapter plate 4t), and the aligned stack 20 will continue along the surface 31) to feed the even back edge 24 into machine 14 punching and binding. A finished manual 60 having an indexed front edge 22 will thereby be provided.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1, A conveyor-adapter for sheets in a stack with index tabs protruding from a front edge at spaced positions from the edge ends wherein said conveyor has a motion activator connected thereto, said adapter comprising: a plate for placement of said stack thereupon, said plate adapted for movement in a plane containing said plate; a pair of pegs affixed on said plate to extend normally therefrom a distance greater than the thickness of said stack, said pegs being spaced to receive all of said index tabs therebetween and to engage said stack proximate said edge ends; and means in the plate for adapta-bly connecting said plate to said activator means for movement therewith with said pegs against said stack, thereby conveying said stack in an assembled relationship.

2. A conveyor-adapter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plate is a rectangle having a length substantially equal to the length of said front edge of said stack, and a narrow width in relation to said stack enabling a back edge of said stack opposite said indeX tabs to protrude beyond said plate.

3. A conveyor-adapter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means is centrally located on said plate and includes alignment means for maintaining proper orientation of said plate.

4. A conveyor-adapter in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means is spaced perpendicularly on said plate a distance greater than the protrusion of said index tabs from a plane tangent to points of said pegs engaging said stack. I p

5. A conveyor adaptable to move sheets in a stack with index tabs protruding from an edge at spaced positions from the edge ends, said conveyor comprising: a support surface having a longitudinal slot therein; a guide means on said surface for assembly thereag-ainst and direction thereby of said stack; an activator means having a conveyor rod for movement in said slot paralleling said direction of said guide means; and an adapter plate having means for engagement with said rod for movement therewith, said adapter plate including a pair of peg aflixed thereon to extend therefrom normal to said surface a distanceg reater than the thickness of said stack, said pegs being spaced to receive all said index tabs therebetween and to engage siad stack proximate said edge ends, thereby conveying said stack in an assembled relationship.

6. A conveyor in accordance with claim 5 wherein said guide means is a parallel pair of edge guides affixed along said surface, said guides being spaced apart a distance corresponding to said edge of said stack, and said adapter plate being a rectangle with a length fitting between said guides.

7. A conveyor adaptable to move sheets in a stack with index tabs protruding from the edge thereof at spaced positions from the edge ends, said conveyor comprising: a support surface including a longitudinal slot therein; a pair of edge guides afi'ixed along said surface parallel to said slot, said guides being spaced apart a distance corresponding to said edge of said stack; a conveyor rod in said slot; an activator means connected to said rod for movement thereof along said slot; and an adapter plate on said surface between said guide means in said adapter plate for operatively connecting said plate to said conveying rod, said plate including a pair of pegs affixed thereon to extend normally therefrom a distance greater than the thickness of said stack, said pegs being spaced to receive all said index tabs therebetween and to engage said stack proximate said edge ends, said plate engaging said conveyor rod whereby said stack assembled between said guides on said surface and plate may be conveyed therealong in assembled relationship.

8. A conveyor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means in said adapter plate for operatively connecting said plate to said conveying rod includes an opening for said conveyor rod to extend therethrough to provide engagement therebetween.

9. A conveyor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said rod has a circular cross section and said opening being rectangular, said conveyor including an adapter sleeve having a circular bore fitting said rod and having a rectangular periphery fitting tightly within said opening, said sleeve extending through said slot to orient said plate with respect to movement therealong.

10. A conveyor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said plate has a depending tab spaced from said opening, said tab fitting within said slot to orient said plate with respect to movement therealong between said guides.

11. In a conveyor having a support surface with a longitudinal slot therein, a spaced pair of edge guides paralleling said slot with said slot midway between, and a conveyor rod traveling along said slot to convey therealong sheets assembled and aligned between said guides, the improvement adapting said conveyor for sheets in a stack with index tabs protruding from an edge at spaced positions from the edge ends, said improvement comprising: an adapter plate on said support surface, means in said plate for engagement with said conveying rod, said plate fitting between said guides; a pair of pegs affixed on said plate to extend normally therefrom a distance greater than the thickness of said stack, said pegs being spaced to receive all of said index tabs therebetween and to engage said stack proximate said edge ends; and means to adaptably engage said plate with said conveyor rod for movement therealong with said pegs against said stack, thereby conveying said stack in an assembled relationship.

12. An improvement in accordance with claim 11 wherein said plate is a rectangle having a length fitting between said guides and a narrow width in relation to said stack enabling a back edge of said stack opposite said index tabs to protrude beyond said plate.

13. An improvement in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means in the plate for engagement with said conveying rod includes an opening with said conveyor rod extending therethrough to thereby provide said means to adaptably engage said plate and rod.

14. An improvement in accordance with claim 13 wherein said rod has a circular cross section and said opening being rectangular, said conveyor including an adapter sleeve having a circular bore fitting said rod and having a rectangular periphery fitting tightly within said opening, said sleeve eXtending through said slot to orient said plate with respect to movement therealong.

15. An improvement in accordance with claim 13 wherein said plate has a depending tab spaced from said opening, said tab fitting within said slot to orient said plate with respect to movement therealong between said guides.

16. An improvement in accordance with claim 13 wherein said opening is spaced perpendicularly on said plate a distance greater than the protrusion of said index tabs from a plane tangent to points of said pegs engaging said stack.

17. In an automatic collating, punching and binding machine including assembly and conveyor means of the type having a support surface with a longitudinal slot therein, a spaced pair of edge guides paralleling said slot with said slot midway therebetween, and a conveyor rod extending through said slot above said surface for travel along said slot to convey therealong sheets assembled and aligned between said guides, the improvement adapting said machine for automatic operation on sheets in a stack with index tabs protruding from the edge at spaced positions from the edge ends, said improvement comprising: a rectangular adapter plate on said support, said plate of a length fitting between said guides, said plate including a rectangular opening with said conveyor rod extending therethrough; an adapter sleeve having a bore receiving said conveyor rod and a rectangular outer periphery tightly fitting within said rectangular opening of said plate, said adapter sleeve extending through said slot to orient said plate during travel therealong; and a pair of pegs afiixed on said plate to extend normally therefrom a distance greater than the thickness of said stack, said pegs being spaced to receive all said index tabs therebetween and to engage said stack proximate said edge ends, said rectangular opening in said plate being spaced perpendicularly a distance greater than the protrusion of said index tabs from a plane tangent to points of said pegs engaging said stack, thereby enabling said pegs to align and convey said stack therealong.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,738,009 3/1956 Jones 83467 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Examiner. 

1. A CONVEYOR-ADAPTER FOR SHEETS IN A STACK WITH INDEX TABS PROTRUDING FROM A FRONT EDGE AT SPACED POSITIONS FROM THE EDGE ENDS WHEREIN SAID CONVEYOR HAS A MOTION ACTIVATOR CONNECTED THERETO, SAID ADAPTER COMPRISING: A PLATE FOR PLACEMENT OF SAID STACK THEREUPON, SAID PLATE ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT IN A PLANEE CONTAINING SIAD PLATE; A PAIR OF PEGS AFFIXED ON SAID PLATE TO EXTEND NORMALLY THEREFROM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE THICKNESS OF SAID STACK, SAID PEGS BEING SPACED TO RECEIVE ALL OF SAID INDEX TABS THEREBETWEEN AND TO ENGAGE SAID STACK PROXIMATE SAID EDGE ENDS; AND MEANS IN THE PLATE FOR ADAPTABLY CONNECTING SAID PLATE TO SAID ACTIVATOR MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH WITH SAID PEGS AGAINST SAID STACK, THEREBY CONVEYING SAID STACK IN AN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP. 